The Cold War “ended” with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Almost 23 years later, the division between Russia and the West has returned to the forefront of U.S. national security concerns. Ukraine, a former Soviet Socialist Republic, is now a flashpoint for conflict. Russia threatens to invade Ukraine to protect the Russian population living there after pro-Western protestors overthrew the pro-Russian Yanukovych regime. Russia’s interests are driving Russian forces to take control of the Crimean peninsula where a Russian Navy base is located. Fearing escalation of the conflict, the West is attempting to find a diplomatic solution.

Please join the International Security Organization and the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies for presentations on the crisis in Ukraine by Dr. Phil Williams, Director of the Matthew B. Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, Wesley W. Posvar Chair in International Security Studies and Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Dr. Ryan Grauer, Assistant Professor of International Affairs, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Dr. Ronald Linden, Director of the EU Center of Excellence and the European Studies Center and Professor of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov, Assistant Professor of Economics, University of Pittsburgh.

Pizza and refreshments will be provided -- Please RSVP to EJM76@pitt.edu